Eat & Drink at La Ensenada
Happy Tummy
After booking, guests will complete a short survey regarding their food and drink preferences, then we will plan a menu to ensure there is delicious variety and that you are delighted. We provide a substantial breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as unlimited snacks. Our dining area is beachfront!
The bulk of our food and drink is sourced locally, though our sauce and spice-rack are quite international. Our menu is a mix of traditional Panamanian fare, cooked with a healthy twist, and a variety of American, European and Asian cuisine. The only complaint we have ever received regarding our food is that it is too delicious to stop at one helping.
An example menu may include ...
Breakfast: many varieties of eggs, pancakes, hojalda (fried bread), tortillas, french toast, oatmeal, yogurt with granola, bacon, ham, sausage, and of course fresh fruit.
Lunch: homemade soup or stew, tacos or burritos, hot and cold sandwiches, amazing hamburgers on fresh rolls, casseroles, salads, dumplings, homemade pizza, fried rice, panamanian tamales, and many varieties of pasta.
Dinner: grilled or roasted meat, chicken or fish, a wide variety of vegetable and starch dishes, fresh bread and butter, fresh fruit or a homemade dessert.
Snacks: We always keep a variety of quick cook favorites on hand to keep any appetite happy, such as fresh cut fried potatoes/yucca/plantains, popcorn popped in fresh coconut oil, nachos or quesadillas, fresh vegetables with dip, fresh fruit, and creative grilled cheese sandwiches!
NOTE: We host a maximum of twelve guests at a time, so we literally plan around specific eating preferences, just like you would do when you have guests in your home. Guests may ask for alterations to the planned menu in advance, or on the fly as their appetite dictates. For instance, you may prefer a heavy lunch, then a variety of hors d'oeuvres with drinks instead of a full dinner. We literally design the menu around guest preferences.
Fresh Bread
We bake our own bread and most everything else from scratch. We are building a self sufficient food forest, keep free range chickens for eggs and meet, and purchase our fish and seafood from the local fishing village.
Personalized Menu
We survey food preferences after booking, and publish the menu upon arrival to ensure all guests are delighted with the food. All meals and snacks are included in the price.
Vegeterian Eater?
Vegetarian eaters are accommodated easily, as we use lots of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, eggs and dairy in addition to fish and meat. We are not setup for more specialized diets.
Family Style
Our goal is that you feel as if you were in the home of a close friend, not in an impersonal hotel. Most meals are served family style, though guests are welcome to choose to dine at a private table, or even in their cabana.
Happy Hour Any Time
Welcome to Camaroncito's "La Ensenada Bar", where you can enjoy the best of both worlds - a relaxing open bar where you can help yourself to a cold beer or glass of wine, or enjoy having the bartender make you a blended ice cocktail. Enjoy a chilled mimosa at breakfast, or a hot cocoa before bed. We strive to please any taste.
Our Open Bar is self-serve (or you may ask a staff member to serve you) and are unlimited all day, including a variety of soft and alcoholic drinks such as locally-sourced coffee, fresh juices, smoothies, soft drinks, cold beer, white and red wine, liquors and cocktails. Our cabanas come equipped with in-room coffee/tea service and unlimited filtered and sterilized water.
We cater to both late nighters and early birds. The monkeys don't mind our noise, but many guests prefer to hear only the waves. Part of our guest survey asks if you prefer to be closer to or further from the social area.
Open Bar
Guests are welcome to just serve themselves. Grab a cold beer or pour a glass of wine. Or blend up a smoothie with fresh fruit. We want you to feel at home.
Coconut & Rum! Yum!!!
Coconut water is a refreshing and hydrating drink that can be enjoyed by itself or as a mixer in many of our cocktails. We have hundreds of fresh coconuts!
Evening of Fun
Unless ALL guests are actively participating in an evening of festivities, we settle into quiet mode by 10pm.